The Ring of the Protectors

Chhi’mèd Rig’dzin Rinpoche wearing an Ivory Takdröl

In the photograph Chhi’mèd Rig’dzin Rinpoche is shown wearing the conch
earrings of the gö kar chang lo (gos dKar lCang lo) and an ivory takdröl. This
takdröl was given to Chhi’mèd Rig’dzin Rinpoche by a Chökyong (protector) in
deference to his non-dual dominion over apparent phenomena. His previous
incarnation—Khalding Lingpa—also had such an ivory ring takdröl from similar
provenance, and Chhi’mèd Rig’dzin Rinpoche gave a similar ring to Ngak’chang
Rinpoche some years later. The tradition of wearing a takdröl of this type was
passed to ’a-Shul Pema Legden by
Khalding Lingpa, and ’a-Shul Pema Legden passed it on to Khyungchen Aro Lingma.
Through Aro Lingma the tradition spread within the Aro gTér tradition and
several Lamas such as Ngakpa Dawa Ngödrüp wore them in the Aro Gar.
Ngakpa Dawa Ngödrüp (sNgags pa zLa
ba dNgos grub) was the husband and spiritual consort of
Khandro Chö-ying Nyima ’ö-Zer (mKha’ ’gro chos dByings nyi ma ’od gZer) –
one of the Five Dakini Mothers of
Aro Yeshé.

The ivory ring of Ngakpa Dawa Ngödrüp was given to him by
Aro Yeshé, who found it after a
dream of clarity in which he had seen it lying in the river. Aro Yeshé went to
the river and found it where he had seen it in his dream. He retrieved it and
gave it to Ngakpa Dawa Ngödrüp who wore it continuously from that day on. This
ivory ring is now worn by the rebirth of Ngakpa Dawa Ngödrüp –
Ngakma Nor’dzin Pamo. It was
returned to her by Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen in 1997.